Northern Flow Weekly Newsletter

June 22, 2023

New Superintendency Administrative Assistant Structure to begin July 1

June 14, 2023 / By UNY Communications

As previously announced, United Methodists of Upper New York will begin a new structure for District Superintendents and District Administrative Assistants (AAs) on July 1, 2023. Each of the six District Superintendents (DSes) will serve two Districts and each will have an Administrative Assistant. Additionally, all District AAs will transition to working remotely (within the next six months) and collaboratively with one another. The phone numbers and emails for the District offices will remain the same.

The six AAS and the Districts they are assigned to are as follows:

Lynn Moon will serve the Niagara Frontier and Cornerstone District under the leadership of DS, the Rev. Carlos Rosa-Laguer.
Patti Gridley will serve the Genesee Valley and Mountain View Districts under the leadership of DS, the Rev. Suzanne Block.
Betsy O’Flynn will serve the Finger Lakes and Crossroads District under the leadership of DS, the Rev. Dr. Sherri Rood.
Rosemary Dilorio will serve the Binghamton and Oneonta Districts under the leadership of DS, the Rev. Bon-Kolvik-Campbell.
Tammy McAdam will serve the Northern Flow and Mohawk Districts under the leadership of DS, the Rev. Mike Weeden.
Carrie Boyer will serve the Adirondack and Albany Districts under the leadership of DS, the Rev. Debbie Earthrowl.

We express our utmost gratitude to Anne Hutchins, Teresa Wood, Cindy Muder, and Charlie Camp for their remarkable 52 years of dedicated service as District AAs. As they embark on the next chapters of their lives, we extend our heartfelt wishes for an abundance of blessings to come their way.

The Importance of Summer Camp

Dear United Methodists of Upper New York,

Summer camp can offer a life-transforming experience for young people. The Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministr y has five sites that offer amazing activities year round. In this season, the focus is the opportunities of summer camps. Click here to read about the impact summer camp had on me while growing up in Puerto Rico. It's not too late to sign-up a young person in your life who wants to explore what it means to live like a disciple of Jesus Christ.

Together in mission,

Héctor

The year, Syracuse United Methodist Ministries (SUMM) will be sponsoring our 43^rd annual United Methodist Family and Friends Night at the Ballpark scheduled for Thursday, August 17 at 6:35pm Syracuse Mets vs. Columbus Clippers, Ohio. There will be no tailgate party this year. Like last year, we will have 200-level assigned seats (not 300-level benches), and we will gather on the field at 6.15 pm to sing the National Anthem from Home Plate. Game Ticket: $15

For more information or ticket reservation,

please call or email Rev. Andy M Anderson – at 917-723-0901

Email: andmcand@hotmail.com

Darlene Dennis – 315-345-6338

Email: rdennis31@verizon.net

Bellevue Heights UMC – 315-475-0011

Email: bellevueheightsumc@gmail.com

Make Check Payable to: Bellevue Heights UMC with Game written in the memo line and mail to: Bellevue Heights UMC, 2112 S. Geddes Street, Syracuse, NY 13207

Please, do not miss this fun event. Order your tickets by July 27.

Ballpark Flier

Family Life Weekend at Camp Aldersgate

Each year Aldersgate Camp and Retreat Center, Greig, NY hosts Family Life Weekend. Moms, Dads, kids, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and family friends are all welcome!

Together we enjoy swimming, boating, relaxing, square dancing, singing, fellowship, campfires and more. “Life-Giving Community” is the topic Pastor Matt Rowe (North Rose UMC) will help participants consider this summer, July 14 – 16, 2023.

Visit https://aldersgateny.org/upcoming-events/ for more information or email office@aldersgateny.org.

The weekend is a wonderful way to introduce your family to a Christian camping experience; Friday dinner through Sunday lunch.

When Nature Calls Podcast

On the Mission, Season 2: When Nature Calls focuses on the Upper New York Camp & Retreat Ministries. This six-week series features highlights from camp around the theme, "The Water of Life." Each week, site directors will introduce a different passage of scripture and how it relates to a different experience of water. You'll hear from site directors at Aldersgate, Asbury, Casowasco, Sky Lake, and Skye Farm.

Click here to listen to the series on Simplecast and click here to watch the video version of the podcast.

Stewardship with Rev. Susan Ranous

June 21, 2023

STEWARDSHIP AND DISCIPLESHIP TOGETHER

An article that I read from Christian Stewardship Network, Stewardship Education that Builds Disciples[1] had an excellent series of statements:

On stewardship theology:

1. God owns everything and needs nothing.

2. We own nothing and need everything.

3. God is the sole provider of all resources.

4. God uses stewards to manage His resources.

On effective discipleship:

1. Create a safe space for relationships to form.

2. Conversation should be organic.

3. Customize teaching style to individual’s

I want to make sure that we realize that stewardship and discipleship have to work together. One cannot exist without the other. “Ultimately stewardship is using the resources God has blessed you with in order to further his kingdom, whereas discipleship is pursuing growth as a follower of Christ.”[2]

We aren’t effective stewardship if we aren’t disciples, and we aren’t disciples if we aren’t using the resources give to us to further God’s kingdom.

Stay tuned for this ongoing stewardship conversation.

If you wish more information on this or would like to discuss stewardship and its relationship with discipleship, please feel free to contact me at (315) 427-3668 or sranousacctg@twcny.rr.com. I’d be happy to help.

[1] Stewardship Education that Builds Disciples, Furlong, Jessica and Dick, Don (Christian Stewardship Network), https://www.christianstewardshipnetwork.com.

[2] https://justdisciple.com/discipleship-stewardship/

Watertown First UMC

Announces Summer Programs

Please join our Church Family for the following events this Summer:

Supper Church: A fun, faith filled, activity for the whole family – join us for a catered meal with your family and new friends while listening to contemporary Christian praise music, followed by interactive/intergenerational games, a Bible Story and adult discussion time while kids enjoy a bible craft and recreation time. 4:30-6:00 pm. Everyone is welcome!

Summer Bible Study on the Gospels and Book of Acts: Please join us for a ten-week study on Tuesday evenings from 6:30-8:00 pm as we explore the Good News of the Gospels and beginning of the early Church.

June 27: Matthew 26:1- Mark 10:45

July 4, 2023, No Meeting – Happy July 4^th

^{July 11, Mark 10:46-Luke 4:13}

^{July 18, Luke 4:14-14:35}

^{July 25, Luke 15:1-24:53}

^{August 1, John 1:1-10:42}

^{August 8: John 11:1 Acts 5:16}

^{August 15, Acts 5:17-23:35}

^{August 22, Acts 24:1- Romans 13:14.}

^{A Little Child Will Lead Us Summer Childcare: Little Mermaid Water Fun Adventure}

^{Dates: July 12, 19, 26, August 2, 9, 16,}^{from 3:30 - to 6:00 pm.}

^{Wednesday August 23, 2023}^{, Field Trip to the Thompson Park Pool and Playground /Church Family Picnic from 2-6 pm.}

^{Hot dogs/hamburgers/ chips/ beverage will be provided, please bring a side dish and dessert to pass. All Welcome!}

Adirondack District Offering Lay Servant Courses

Adirondack Lay Servant Ministries has added some courses to the 2023 schedule.

Please remember that you MUST attend all class times and dates to receive credit.

All registrations and course fees MUST be in by the date due.

For a registration form or for more information, contact Arlene Schmidt, arlenedschmidt@gmail.com For more information about the courses (books, etc.) click here for the updated brochure.

Advanced Course: Discover Your Spiritual Gifts

Registration open. Last day to register: June 22

Tuesdays: July 11, 18, 25, August 1 & 8: 6-9pm

Zoom: Fee $15

Facilitators: Jacqueline Kim, CLM & Paula McMahon, CLM

Advanced Course: Leading Worship

Registration opens June 19. Last day to register: July 12.

Mondays: July 31, Aug. 7, 14, 21, & 28: 6-9

ZOOM: Fee: $15

Facilitator: Pastor Bruce Hazard

Advanced Course: Leading Prayer

Registration opens July 13. Last day to register: Aug. 5

Thursdays: August 24, 31, Sept 14, 21 & 28: 6-9pm

Zoom: Fee $15

Facilitator: Jacqueline Kim, CLM

Advanced Course: Polity

Registration opens July 25. Last day to register: Aug. 17

Tuesdays: September 5, 12, 19, & 26: 6-9pm

ZOOM: Fee $15

Facilitator: Pastor Bruce Hazard

Advanced Course: Discover Your Spiritual Gifts

Registration opens August 24. Last day to register: Sept. 16

Thursdays: October 5, 12, 19, 26, & Nov 2: 6-9pm

Zoom: Fee $15

Facilitator: Jacqueline Kim, CLM

Advanced Course: Called to Preach

Registration opens September 26. Last day to register: Oct. 19

Tuesdays: November 7, 14, 28, Dec. 5 & 12: 6-9pm

ZOOM: Fee $15

Facilitator: Jacqueline Kim, CLM

Bishop Burgos Núñez Announces Clergy Appointments

After the prayerful discernment of the Upper New York (UNY) Cabinet, Upper New York Area Resident Bishop, Héctor Burgos Núñez announces the following appointments. All appointments, otherwise noted, are effective July 1, 2023.

Here

"Engage New People Grant" Available

The Upper New York New Faith Communities' Team is excited to announce the “Engage New People Grant” to benefit local churches in the Upper New York Conference that are working to Engage New People not already in their church/ministry. New Faith Communities Conference-wide purpose is to reach people outside the Church in new and contextual ways.

Grants will be available up to $2,500 to help local churches and ministries. Grant applications are accepted on a rolling basis in 2023. Churches and ministries may apply for up to $2,500 during one calendar year. Please expect 60 days to review your application.

Click here to apply for the “Engage New People Grant.”

Upon completing the application, the New Faith Communities' team will reach out to the pastor/lead planter of the church and/or contact person listed to confirm your submission.

SAFE SANCTUARIES TRAINING SCHEDULE

Schedule

Wesley Heritage Tour 2024

Join Pastor Brett Johnson on the trip of a lifetime to visit John and Charles Wesley’s homeland of England. We will be visiting sites of great importance to United Methodists, including the Wesleys’ hometown of Epworth, Oxford, Bristol, and worship in the Wesley Chapel in London.

We will also be stopping at Stonehenge and Stratford-on-Avon, the birthplace of William Shakespeare, and St Paul’s Cathedral. Tour dates are July 13-22, 2024. Please use the following link to register: https://portal.myfaithjourneys.com/ and use group code 24002.

Contact Rev. Brett Johnson, pastor.brett.johnson@gmail.com, with any questions.